KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 22
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the Inaruwa substation today.
Considered a crucial project for enhancing the power transmission and distribution system, the Inaruwa substation is located in Bhokraha Narsingh rural municipality-4 of Sunsari district. It is a 400-Kv substation, ranking as one of the largest substations constructed in the country.
The second-largest substation in the country based on Gas Insulated System (GIS) was charged in the second week of October. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Minister for Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, former minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, high officials of the Energy Ministry, and Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Kul Man Ghising, among others.
Another substation, operating at 220/132/33 kV, is already in operation in Inaruwa. The Inaruwa substation, constructed under the 400-kV Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa substation expansion project, houses three power transformers of 315-MVA in capacity.
Once the 400 kV Inaruwa-Dhalkebar transmission line is completed, approximately 4,000 MW of electricity will be transmitted from the Inaruwa substation. Ghising emphasized that the Inaruwa substation is essential for transmitting electricity from hydropower projects in various districts of Koshi Province, supporting local power consumption, and exporting surplus electricity to India.
Ghising stated, 'Electricity will be supplied locally in addition to the electricity flowing from the substation to the national transmission grid. This will improve the voltage in the area, ensuring a reliable supply of electricity.'
He further mentioned the proposed Inaruwa-Purnia 400 KV cross-country transmission line for power trade with India and the Inaruwa-Anarmani 400 KV transmission line proposed for trade among Nepal, India, and Bangladesh from this substation.
The Inaruwa substation has become a crucial electricity center for supplying power from east to west within the country, exporting to India, and supporting regional power trade. Additionally, the substation will play a significant role in supplying additional electricity to industries within the Morang-Sunsari Industrial Corridor.
It's worth noting that there is a proposal to construct the Arun 'Hub' Inaruwa 400 KV transmission line. The Authority mentioned that the Inaruwa Substation has been built with future expansion in mind.
Despite challenges such as inundation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and prohibitory orders, as well as a lack of timely availability of tools and technicians, the construction of the substation persevered.